Fastening device



April 6, 1954 L. H. FLORA 2,674,150

FASTENING DEVICE Filed Jan. 29, 1953 IN VENTOR Zm/eewc-E H Pia/e4ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 6, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FASTENINGDEVICE Laurence H. Flora, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to TinnermanProducts, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio 2 Claims.

This invention relates in general to fasteners for providing aprotective and ornamental cover ing over the exposed ends of threadlessconnecting studs and similar shank elements in an assembly of securedparts and deals, more particularly, with such securing devices in theform of cap fasteners, and the like, which are adapted to be easily andquickly applied by a simple pushing action to tightened tensionedfastening position without need for any special locking or retainingmeans on the threadless connecting studs or similar shank elements.

In many instances, it is most advantageous to secure the parts of anassembly by a threadless stud such as the shank of a rivet or anintegral connecting stud on one part having its projecting end extendingthrough an opening in an associated part and secured by a fastener inthe form of a spring nut or locking plate, or the like. In certaininstallations, the fastening means in such an assembly are open toobjection in that they lack a pleasing finished appearance and theprojecting ends of the studs are exposed and the spring nuts or similarfasteners have sharp points or edges that might cause injury and damagesuch as cuts and scratches on the hands and rips and tears on theclothing of one handling or using the assembly.

A primary object of the invention, therefore, is to provide an improvedfastener of this character in the form of a cap nut or similar devicecomprising a base portion defining a spring nut or locking plate, or thelike, having integral clutch elements or tongues adapted to be securedby an axial thrust-like fastening action in engagement with the end of aconnecting stud together with a cap portion covering said base portionof the fastener and the end of the stud in a manner to provide forprotection against the sharp points and edges of the tongues on thespring nut and the end of the stud, while otherwise providing thepleasing and attractive appearance of a finishing button, or the like,over the end of the stud.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved fastenersuch as described in the form of a cap nut, or the like, in which'thecap portion of the fastener is provided with recesses or holes forpassing elements of a tool into engagement with the underlying fastenerbase as necessary to apply the spring nutor locking plate defined bysaid fastener base into tightened tensioned fastening position on thestud.

Further objects and advantages, and other new and useful features in theconstruction, ar-

rangement and general combination'of elements of the improved fastenerof the invention will be readily apparent as the following descriptionproceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, for purposes ofillustration but not of limitation, in which like reference charactersdesignate like parts throughout, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the rear of an assembly inwhich a cap fastener in accordance with the invention is shown asapplied to fastening position on the end of a connecting or attachingstudon an object such as a nameplate, molding, or the like, to securethe same to a panel or other support,

Fig. 2 is a perspective of the fastener per se as seen from theunderside thereof and shows the spring nut 'or'locking plate defined bythe base of the fastener;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view lengthwise of the assembly of Fig. 1in which the fastener, illustrated partly in section, is shown ininitially attached position on the end of the connecting stud and with atool in position to be applied to secure the fastener in tightenedtensioned fastening position on said stud;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the tool as actuated to applythe fastener to its final fastening position in tightened tensionedengagement on the stud; and,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of Fig. 4 as seen on line 5-5 looking in thedirection of the arrows.

Fasteners in accordance with the present invention are of generalutility and have a wide range and variety of applications and uses asthe means for providing a protective and ornamental covering over theexposed ends of projecting studs, or the like, in practically anyassembly of secured parts. In the door assembly of a glove compartmentof an automobile, for example, a nameplate, emblem or other object isusually mounted on the door by threadless connecting studs on the objectsecured by sheet metal spring nuts applied to the projecting ends of thestuds at the rear of the door, and when the door is opened for access tothe glove compartment,

there is always the danger that the exposed ends of the studs andtheexposed sharp points and edges of the u'sualspring nuts will cause cutsand scratchesto the hands and 'te ars' and snags to the clothing. 'Theuse of cap-type spring nuts in accordance with the invention removes thedanger of any such injury or damage and otherwise provides a pleasingand attractive buttonlike appearance over the end of each of theconnecting studs I. Likewise, the cap fasteners of the invention areadmirably suited for many uses in the manufacture of toys and the likewhere exposed studs, shaft ends, axles, etc., are a hazard, and also, inthe manufacture of various cabinet structures, oflice equipment, radioand television apparatus and home appliances where it is frequentlynecessary or desirable to provide a protective and ornamental coveringover the exposed ends of projecting studs and similar elements in thesecuring means provided.

The object secured may be made of metal, plastic, wood or other materialand providedwith spaced connecting studs integrally formed thereon orotherwise suitablyattached thereto. In the present example, th'object' Ai in the form of a metal or plastic emblem or nameplate, or the like,provided with a suitable number of integral connecting studs I extendingin spaced relation along the length of the object. Such connecting studsI may'otherwise be provided by rivets or similar elerneruas molded withthe object or provided thereonin any suitable manner. The underface ofthe object is substantially flat or of such contour as to seat flushwith the surface of a support P in theform of a panel, or

the like, with the connecting studs I projecting through correspondinglyspaced openings in said support P to the rearward side thereof, wherecap fasteners ID in accordance with the invention are applied to the,projecting ends of said studs I to cover and conceal the same andotherwise provide a pleasing and attractive buttonlike appearance overthe' ends of said connecting studs I. Q

The cap fasteners, designated generally Ill, are constructed from'relatively thlnsections of any suitable sheet metal, preferably springmetal such as spring steel, cold rolled steel or other metal havingspring-like characteristics. Thefasteners may be provided any selectedshape or outline to comprise a base" defining a spring nut, or the like,carried by an overlying cap portion and in this regard, the base II maybe provided either as an integral portion with the cap 20 or as aseparate, portion which is retained within the cap in any suitable"manner. In the present example, the base II isshown comprising agenerally rectangular section" of a sheet metal blank providing both thebase and cap portion 20 of the fastenerf The'base II of the fastener isactually a spring nut' comprising a generally rectangular sectionprovided with a central stud opening and spaced parallel slits onopposite sides of 7 said studopening defining a pair of cooperatingtongues 12 which are integral at their lower ends with the end portionsl4 of the spring nut and project .upwardlybetween the side or bridgeportions IIi thereof. I

The said end-and bridge portions I4, I6, respectively, provide what maybe termed, the body of the spring nun-which body is so formed in thestamping operationas to have a pronounced generally arched or bowedconcavo-convex configuration, when normallyuntensioned. The tongues I 2extend upwardly in asubstantial ogee formation from such generallyarched body with the extremities thereof preferably notched to providesubstantially V-shaped jaws adapted for equal and uniform bitingengagement with the threadless connecting stud, rivet, or the like. Saidtongues I2 or similar stud engaging elements, otherwise, are resilientand yieldable with respect to the generally arched base II and rela-,tive to each other and accordingly, the s prililg nut definedby saidbase may be applied easily and quickly in one direction to fasteningengagement with the connecting stud I substantially in the manner of aclutch device, or the like, and locked against movement in an oppositedirection toward loosening or removal from applied fastening position.The action is such that when the spring nut II is applied to the shankof a threadless stud I, or the like, the tongue elements I2, beingyieldable, readily slide along the stud until the spring nut engages thesupport P or part secured; at such point, upon pressure on the arched orbowed bridge portions I5 to flatten the same, the end portions I4 aremoved from their initial, normally untensioned position in the generallyarched base outwardly and upwardly in a substantial lifting force whichis transmitted to the tongues I2 to urge the extremities thereofinwardly toward each other such that said tongues I2 are caused to cutinto and become embedded in the stud I and resist anytendencytowardreverse movement or loosening.

It will be understood, accordingly, that the bending moment which servesto lock the spring nut II onto the threadless'stud I is produced by thetensioned bridge portions I6 which are flattened against'the adjacentsurface of the support P, and which, in attempting to assume theirinitial, normally untensioned configuration in the generally arched bodyof the spring nut, cause the tongues I2 to be urged inwardly toward eachother to locking engagement with the stud I. It has been found that themost efiective locking action of the spring nut II in a tight, rigidinstallation is obtained'when the arched or concavebpdy thereof isflattened without any substantial pressure being exerted on the tongueelements I2. Any substantial pressure on the tongues I2 prevents thesame from having smooth, sliding engagement with the stud I on beingapplied, and also deforms the same with respect to the generally archedbody I I of the spring nut such that the extremities of the tongues I2are not in most effective engagement with the said stud, wherefore saidtongues I2 have a tendency to slip and thereby result in a faulty, loosefastening installation.

The cap type fasteners II) of the invention are constructed forapplication in accordance with the foregoing by means of a suitable toolT in a manner whereby a; tight installation is ensured and any suchtendency 'of the tongues I2 of the spring nut to slip or loosen fromapplied fastening position is eliminated inasmuch as the pressure foradvancing the spring nut to locked fasteningengagern'ent on thethreadless stud or bolt I is applied directly to the bridge portions I6to flatten the gene'rally concave body of the spring nut withoutdeforming thetongues I2; and thus, when the tool T is withdrawn and theattendant pressure removed from the flattened bridge portions I6, the.tension stored therein causes the tongues I2 to move inwardly towardeach other-and become embedded in the stud I by a pronounced cuttingaction thereby ensuring a positive lockingaction of the tongues I2 withthe studI undercontinuously effective spring tension. At the same time,an axial pull or drawing action is exerted on the stud l by thegenerally concave body of the spring nut II in attempting to assume itsnormal, untensioned configuratio'nfsuch that the stud I not only islocked in appliedposition, butj the parts of the assembly are rigidlyand tightly secured.

The. spring nut orbaseI I ofthe fastener is thus provided in conjunctionwith the overlying cap portion which covers and conceals the spring nutH but with suitable provision for the application of the tool T to thearched or bowed bridge portions I6 of said spring nut I I. The capportion 20 is shown provided in a hollow, generally cup-shaped formationdefining a dome 2| having sloping side faces 23 merging into dependentside flanges 25 along the sides thereof, and similar sloping faces 21 onthe ends thereof merging into dependent end flanges 29. The side flanges25 and end flanges 29 are formed in a box-like arrangement around theintermediate dome 2| to define the periphery of the fastener asbest seenin Fig. 2. An integral web 3|] on one of the end flanges 29 is joined toone end of the spring nut II to retain the same within the cap portion20. Preferably clearance cutouts 3| are provided at the opposite sidesof said web 30 to permit said web to be bent inwardly as necessary forthe spring nut I I to lie completely within and inside the edges of saidflanges 25 and 29, and with the opposite end of the spring nut Hextending free and spaced from the adjacent end flange 29, as best seenin Fig. 3.

The spring nut II, accordingly, is completely contained within the capportion 2|] with the bridge portions I6 and free end portiorithereofadapted to move as necessary within the cap portion 28 in theapplication of the tool T to flatten the generally arched body of thespring nut to secure the same in tightened tensioned fastening positionon the connecting stud I. As explained, the most effective lockingaction of the spring nut H is provided when the arched bridge portionsI6 thereof are flattened without any substantial pressure on the tongueelements I2. Accordingly, tool receiving recesses or holes 33 areprovided in the cap portion 20 in direct alignment with the apexes ofthe arched bridge portions I6 on the spring nut. These tool receivingrecesses or holes 33 are provided in the manner of elongate slots in thesloping side faces 23 in the dome of the fastener and are relativelynarrow and inconspicuous so as not to detract from the finishedbutton-like appearance of the fastener I II.

The tool T may be of any suitable character to include a body memberwhich is recessed to provide a pair of spaced head elements or tines 4|adapted to be received in the spaced tool receiving recesses or holes 33in the cap portion 2a of the fastener in position to engage the apexesof the arched bridge portions I6 of the spring nut within said capportion 29. The spaced head elements or tines 4| are of suflicientlength for the body 46 of the tool to clear the dome 2| of the fasteneras seen in Fig. 5, and if desired, may be magnetized for use inapplications where a fastener I0 is positioned on said tines or headelements 4| and held on the tool by such magnetism as the fastener isboth initially attached and advanced to final fastening position on aconnecting stud I.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that in the usual procedurefor attaching a cap fastener It in accordance with the invention, theobject A is suitably supported against movement relative to the supportP, and a fastener It easily and quickly attached to the projecting endof the stud I at the rearward side of the assembly simpl; by positioningthe fastener with the stud I located between the ends of the tongues I2,and pushing the fastener toward the support P until cent surface of saidsupport P as seen in Fig. 3. Inasmuch as the tongues I2 are yieldable,the extremities thereof readily snap over the end of the stud I andslide thereon to a position substantially as shown in Fig. 3 in whichthe body H of the spring nut remains substantially in its initial archedconfiguration, In this relation, the parts of the assembly are nottightly secured and the tool T is thereupon applied, as shown in Fig. 3,with the spaced head elements or tines 4| thereof received in the toolreceiving recesses or holes 33, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and with theends of said tines or head elements 4| engaging the apexes of the archedbridge portions I6 of the spring nut I I. Pressure is simultaneouslyexerted on the tool T such that said tines or head elements 4| compressand flatten said generally arched bridge portions It as seen in Figs. 4and 5 in a manner whereby the body of the spring nut I I is distendedfrom the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4. When the toolT is withdrawn and the attendant pressure removed from the bridgeportions I6, the spring nut II naturally tends to assume its initial,normally untensioned generally arched configuration and in so doingurges the tongues I2 inwardly toward each other and causes the same tocut into and,

become embedded in the threadless connecting stud I in tightened,tensioned locked fastening engagement therewith, as aforesaid. At thesame time, the spring nut H exerts a certain amount of axial pull on thestud I thereby drawing the same axially and ensuring a rigid, tightinstallation at all times. The same general result is obtained when thetines or head elements 4| of the tool T are magnetized and a capfastener I0 first positioned thereon and applied to final fasteningposition on the threadless stud I in a single operation.

It will be appreciated that the cap fasteners I8 in accordance with theinvention require no more than a simple pushing action to apply the sameto final fastening position and that the provision of the tool receivingrecesses or holes 33 in the cap portion 20 in direct alignment with thearched bridge portions I6 of the spring nut II is such as to ensure aneasy and quick positioning of the tines or head elements 4| of the toolT in engagement with the apexes of said arched bridge portions I6 forthe final application of the fastener to tightened tensioned fasteningposition in the most effective manner and in a minimum of time andeffort.

The cap fasteners HI preferably are constructed of relatively thin sheetmetal, the thickness of which is selected according to servicerequirements and the predetermined size of the parts to be secured. Thecap fasteners are most effective when provided of spring metal suitablyspring tempered and otherwise treated to give the desired toughness andhardness. A cheap and highly effective cap fastener in accordance withthe invention may be provided from cold rolled metal such as cold rolledsteel which is untempered but of a spring metal nature and capable ofproviding an effective and reliable securing device as and for thepurposes described.

While the invention has been described in detail with specific examples,such examples are intended as illustrations only inasmuch as theinvention fully contemplates various modifications which may be providedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

amass "f what is 'claimedfir 5 a L A-capiastener adapted to be securedand tightened ona stud by a pushing action axially of the stud, said capfastener comprising a piece of sheet metal defining a generally archedbase provided with a stud receiving opening and cooperating tonguesextending upwardly from said base and having free ends adjacent saidstud receiving opening, said generally arched base comprising-archedportions at the sides of said tongues, and a hollow cap integrallyconnected to and overlying said generally arched base, said hollow caphaving spaced holes in alignment with said arched portions of said baseand out of line with said tongues, said holes being provided for theapplication of a tool having spaced elements adapted to pass throughsaid spaced holes and compress said arched portions of said base withoutengaging said tongues, whereby to tension and tighten said base in thefastening position of the cap fastener on said stud.

2. A cap fastener adapted to be secured and tightened on a stud by apushing action axially of the stud, said cap fastener comprising a pieceof sheet metal defining a generally arched base provided with a studreceiving opening and cooperating tongues extending upwardly from saidbase ahd' havhig free ends adjacentsald' stud receiving opening, saidbase having arched portions bordering said tongues and separated fromsaid tongues, a hollow cap overlying said base, and aportion connectingone end of said base to anedge portion'of said hollow cap with the otherend of said base extending free within said hollow cap, said hollow caphaving spaced holes in alignment with said arched portions of said baseand out of line with said tongues, said holes being provided for theapplication of a tool having spaced elements adapted to pass throughsaid spaced holes and compress said arched portions of said base withoutengaging said tongues, whereby'to tension and tighten said base in thefastening position of the, cap fastener on said stud.

"References Cited-tin the file of this 15am Hammers May 24, 1946 an m.

